The Book Proposal Book

Synopsis

A step-by-step guide to crafting a compelling scholarly book proposal-and seeing your book through to successful publication

The scholarly book proposal may be academia's most mysterious genre. You have to write one to get published, but most scholars receive no training on how to do so-and you may have never even seen a proposal before you're expected to produce your own. The Book Proposal Book cuts through the mystery and guides prospective authors step by step through the process of crafting a compelling proposal and pitching it to university presses and other academic publishers.

Laura Portwood-Stacer, an experienced developmental editor and publishing consultant for academic authors, shows how to select the right presses to target, identify audiences and competing titles, and write a project description that will grab the attention of editors-breaking the entire process into discrete, manageable tasks. The book features over fifty time-tested tips to make your proposal stand out; sample prospectuses, a letter of inquiry, and a response to reader reports from real authors; optional worksheets and checklists; answers to dozens of the most common questions about the scholarly publishing process; and much, much more.

Whether you're hoping to publish your first book or you're a seasoned author with an unfinished proposal languishing on your hard drive, The Book Proposal Book provides honest, empathetic, and invaluable advice on how to overcome common sticking points and get your book published. It also shows why, far from being merely a hurdle to clear, a well-conceived proposal can help lead to an outstanding book.

Summary

Chapter 1: The Book Proposal Unveiled

Summary: Introduces the concept of a book proposal and its key elements. Explains its purpose as a roadmap for the book's creation and marketing.

Real Example:

"The proposal for 'The Art of Digital Nomading' outlined the author's target audience, unique perspective, competitive analysis, and marketing strategy."

Chapter 2: The Proposal Foundation

Summary: Delves into the essential components of a book proposal, including the cover letter, table of contents, synopsis, market analysis, marketing plan, and author biography.

Real Example:

"The cover letter for 'The Essential Guide to Blockchain Technology' highlighted the author's experience as an investor and analyst."

Chapter 3: The Argument for Representation

Summary: Focuses on developing a compelling case for why the proposed book deserves to be written and published. Discusses the importance of establishing a clear target audience and demonstrating the book's potential impact.

Real Example:

"The proposal for 'Mindfulness for Executives' argued that the book would provide practical tools and strategies for reducing stress and improving performance in the workplace."

Chapter 4: The Literary Landscape

Summary: Guides the writer in conducting a thorough market analysis to identify the book's target market, competition, and position in the literary landscape.

Real Example:

"The research for 'The Future of Artificial Intelligence' revealed a growing interest in the topic among business leaders and policymakers."

Chapter 5: The Marketing Master Plan

Summary: Outlines the essential elements of a book marketing plan, including target audience identification, marketing channels, and promotional activities.

Real Example:

"The marketing plan for 'The Ultimate Guide to Copywriting' included a targeted social media campaign, email marketing, and speaking engagements at industry events."

Chapter 6: The Author's Credentials

Summary: Emphasizes the importance of presenting the author's qualifications, experience, and credibility to potential publishers.

Real Example:

"The author of 'The Science of Happiness' included a detailed curriculum vitae highlighting his research and speaking engagements on the topic."

Chapter 7: The Sample Chapters

Summary: Provides guidance on crafting compelling sample chapters that showcase the book's writing style, voice, and structure.

Real Example:

"The sample chapters for 'The Power of Storytelling' demonstrated the author's ability to engage readers with personal anecdotes and vivid imagery."

Chapter 8: The Proposal Packaging

Summary: Covers the professional presentation and formatting of the book proposal, including the cover page, font size, and overall aesthetic.

Real Example:

"The proposal for 'The Visual History of Photography' featured a high-quality cover image and used a clean, professional font."